Vehicle Registration FAQs
Do I need to get my vehicle inspected before I renew my registration?
Maybe. Starting January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles will not be required to pass an annual safety inspection. However, if you live in a designated emissions testing county, you must have a passing vehicle emissions inspection before starting the renewal process.
How do I renew my registration online?
You can renew your vehicle registration online 90 days before the expiration date or up to one year after the expiration date, if you have not received a citation for expired registration.
There is currently two online renewal options:
- Renew with Texas by Texas (TxT). TxT is an official, account-based digital government assistant that provides an easy, fast, and secure way for Texans to take care of government services – like vehicle registration renewal. To learn more about TxT and create an account, visit the Texas by Texas page on Texas.gov.
- Renew online via the TxDMV website. You’ll need your renewal notice or license plate number and the last four digits of your VIN. Once approved by your county, your new sticker will be mailed within three weeks.
Please note: If you need to update your address, your vehicle is not eligible for online renewal, or you are a business that needs to renew fleet vehicles, you must handle these services at your local Tax Assessor Collector office.
I get an “In Process” or locked out error message when trying to renew my vehicle registration online. What should I do?
This error occurs when the vehicle registration web page times out for inactivity or is interrupted after you start the vehicle registration renewal process. You must wait a full 24 hours before trying again, and the Texas.gov Help Desk can’t help with this issue. If you’re still experiencing issues after waiting the full 24 hours, please contact TxDMV at (888) 368-4689.
I haven’t received my vehicle registration renewal sticker after renewing my registration online. Where can I find it?
If you have a receipt for your online order but haven’t received your vehicle registration sticker, you can track your sticker status online. If you have any other questions about the status of your vehicle registration sticker, please call TxDMV at (888) 368-4689.
If you don’t have your trace number/payment confirmation number from your online order, please contact the Texas.gov Help Desk through any of the contact options available on the Texas.gov Help & Support page.
Where can I request a refund for my vehicle registration fee?
If you’d like to request a refund and you have the payment confirmation/trace number for your online order, please contact the county tax office where your vehicle is registered. If you don’t have your trace number/payment confirmation number from your online order, please contact the Texas.gov Help Desk via one of the contact options available on the Texas.gov Help & Support page.
Why did I receive a registration renewal notice for a vehicle I’ve sold?
TxDMV prints renewal notices in advance for the owner of record at that time. For more information, please see the FAQ section on TxDMV’s Register Your Vehicle page or contact them at (888) 368-4689 or (512) 465-3000 with the VIN of the vehicle you sold for more information.